People's First Baptist is raising funds to restore former 75th Precinct complex as housing for war vets and shelter for domestic violence victims
April 23, 2012 - The commanding dignity of the massive East New York, Brooklyn building shines through even in the structure’s current sorry state.
The overgrown trees and weeds, broken windows and rotted doors cling to the former New York Police Department’s 75th Precinct complex at 484 Liberty Ave. like bad makeup on a beautiful woman.
Three stories tall with turrets, balconies, a courtyard and and a horse stable, the complex was built in 1862 from a design by architect Emile Gruwe.
Gruwe, with architect George Ingram, also also designed the 18th Precinct Station House in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, also known for its’ castle-like turrets.
The Rev. W.D. Cleveland bought the East New York building in 1976 and moved his People’s First Baptist Church into the space.
But Cleveland fell ill in the 1980’s, long before his death in 2006 at age 67, leaving many of his dreams for the premises unrealized.
Now his widow, the Rev. R. Simone Lord, is mounting a $20 million dollar fund-raising drive to restore 484 Liberty to its former glory while also bringing much needed facilities — including housing for war veterans and domestic violence victims — to the neighborhood.
“My husband was ill, so he was never able to do much with the property,” Lord said. “But he always had great dreams, especially for using the building to benefit the youths and veterans in the community. He was a Navy veteran, and he wanted to make a better life for people in the area.” read more>>>
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